BETA-GLUCURONIDASE AND RELATED GLYCLOSIDASES DEMONSTRATED BY INDOLYL SUBSTRATES IN LYMPHATIC TISSUE

Abstract

Histochemical and cytochemical techniques for detecting enzyme activity have been difficult to apply to the lymphatic system. Tissue glycosidases were demonstrated with techniques that show sharp intracellular localization and that are highly specific, although the heterogeneity and functional changes in component cells may still present interpretive difficulties. Halogen-substituted indolyl substrates were developed for beta- galactosidase, beta-glucosidase, beta-2-deoxyglucosidase, and beta-fucosidase. The most recently developed substrate for beta-glucuronidase is 5-bromo-4- chloroindol-3-yl-beta-D-glucopyruroniside. The final reaction product in all cases is identical: 5,5'-bromo-4,4'-chloroindigo. This intensely blue-green, finely granular precipitate is substantive and insoluble so that tissues can be dehydrated and permanently mounted. Specific inhibition for each substrate was demonstrated with analogue lactones. Differences in the distribution and intensity of the resultant straining in the various cells and tissues of the lymphoid system for these enzymes offer a unique opportunity to study the development of functional changes in reticular cells, including enzymatic induction and antigenic response.

Open PDF

Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Apr 01, 1968
Accession Number
AD0834754

Entities

People

  • Alfred C. Standen
  • Bjarne Pearson
  • John R. Esterly

Tags

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Cells
  • Cellular Structures
  • Deoxy Sugars
  • Enzymes
  • Glycosidases
  • Glycosides
  • Inhibition
  • Lymph Nodes
  • Lymphatic System
  • Macrophages
  • Maryland
  • Mucous Membrane
  • Precipitates
  • Reticuloendothelial System
  • Small Intestine
  • Tissue Culture
  • Tissues

Fields of Study

  • Biology

Readers

  • Immunology
  • Molecular and Cellular Biochemistry